Verse-23
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 23
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
niyataṁ saṅgarahitamarāgadveṣataḥ kṛtam
aphalaprepsunā karma yattatsāttvikamucyate
🕉 English Translation
Hai shastra mein karma jo niyat,
Jo abhimaan phal iccha se hai rahit.
Kiya jo bin raag aur dwesh ke,
Karma satvic hee hain kehte useh.
📜 Translation
English
Action which is ordained by the scriptures and is free from the egoism of doership and is performed by the one who is undesirous of fruit without attachment and aversion-that is known to be satvic.
Action is ever the part of the daily routine of human beings. Though in Sri Gitaji at various points in accordance with and in the context of action, several clarifications, lot of inspirations, many warnings have been given previously yet in this 18th chapter you may call it a reassertion of the same expression or it may be taken as a more illumined, awakened and persuasive expression of the Gita. The Blessed Lord here is presenting an inspiring analysis of the three types of action. First of all is given the inspiration from the satvic kind of action.
The actions which are deemed as proper for us by the scriptures, perform those very actions which are right according to the state, occupation, station of life and place! In this too, special significance is to be attached to the performance of action befitting a human being. When one is a human being then why is there an animalistic tendency and inclination towards such actions? Simultaneously, care should be taken that there should be no sense of doership in the least associated with action. At times action may be proper but when it is accompanied by egoism, the desire for fruit is entertained at the commencement of the work itself. I am doing it, and am doing it so that I may gain this! Both states are apparently baseless and meaningless! The future is not in my hands and in the present I am not the doer, as the executing force is the power of consciousness of the Supreme. If something is agreeable then there is no attachment for it and if something is disagreeable then no aversion for it. All is the beneficence of the Lord, His power and His will-such an attitude forms the foundation of actions which are devoid of attachment and aversion, arrogance and desire for reward. According to the preacher of the Gita this is the nature of the satvic action.